I suggest CorelDraw for beginners, it's simple to learn and to use. Some don't choose it because it's pricey, but you can get discounts here http://www.coreldraw.com/en/pages/coupons/ and get it for a much lower price
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Looking for best logo design software for an "amateur"
- Thread starter KonichiJ
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I know about pixelmator and I have the iPad app, but it seems more like photo adjusting application more than an editor. Is it different on OS X? maybe I should look into Affinity Photo
MacBH928,
Just to relate my own experiences. Many people love PixeImator and when I started looking for an alternative to Photoshop (to avoid Adobe's horrible forced subscription) I bought it but I was a little disappointed. It wasn't quite what I was looking for (and I would agree with you, it feels more like an app that adjusts photos more than a more powerful image editor). I can see why so many people like it but it wasn't what I was after. After using Affinity Designer, I was very happy and when they released Affinity Photo I bought it and I've been quite happy with it. There are somethings are still missing but the price is incredible for what you get. It is $50 (USD) and it is way more powerful than PixeImator and it more inline with Photoshop or GIMP in terms of features and power. Not to mention the developers are very open to customers' requests and they add features rather quickly. If you haven't tried it, give it a try. Just remember that Affinity's philosophy is a little different from Adobe's and so they do things a little differently. Once you understand that, you can better understand how things work.
Just to relate my own experiences. Many people love PixeImator and when I started looking for an alternative to Photoshop (to avoid Adobe's horrible forced subscription) I bought it but I was a little disappointed. It wasn't quite what I was looking for (and I would agree with you, it feels more like an app that adjusts photos more than a more powerful image editor). I can see why so many people like it but it wasn't what I was after. After using Affinity Designer, I was very happy and when they released Affinity Photo I bought it and I've been quite happy with it. There are somethings are still missing but the price is incredible for what you get. It is $50 (USD) and it is way more powerful than PixeImator and it more inline with Photoshop or GIMP in terms of features and power. Not to mention the developers are very open to customers' requests and they add features rather quickly. If you haven't tried it, give it a try. Just remember that Affinity's philosophy is a little different from Adobe's and so they do things a little differently. Once you understand that, you can better understand how things work.
So which one is the photoshop replacement, Affinity Designer or Photo? Designer seems more like illustrator ?
MacBH928,
Affinity Designer is mainly a vector app, like Illustrator. You can do some raster effects in it as well though. Affinity Photo is the one that is more like Photoshop.
Affinity Designer is mainly a vector app, like Illustrator. You can do some raster effects in it as well though. Affinity Photo is the one that is more like Photoshop.
Grab Adobe Illustrator. It has a free 30 day trial. Its the best and why not learn on what you would use if you ever became more than an amateur?
I'll tell you a very simple but great reason why not to use Illustrator. Subscription. Why would the user pay a monthly fee when they are an amateur? With Affinity Designer, you can get a program that is very similar in terms of features at a price that is much better. Designer is only $50 and that isn't a subscription. With Illustrator you will pay at least $10 a month, forever! No thanks.
Because it has a 30 day free trial to play with it and see if he has any real use for it later.
SparkFlash,
I will give you that, downloading and taking the 30 day trial wouldn't hurt but still I wouldn't think that an amateur would want to pay every month to use an app that is just for a "hobby". Some people do it but even as a professional I won't do it. Sure I use Adobe's stuff but at work but not at home. At home, I use Affinity's offerings and Quark Xpress (and some older versions of Adobe's stuff if I have to) to avoid the subscription. Affinity's products have improved greatly since they were first release (and they were good when they were released) to the point that I can see myself completely ditching Adobe's stuff in the near future (possibly when Affinity releases version 2.0 of their stuff). For me, it isn't just about the money (the money is a part of it but only a part). For me, my biggest complaint against the subscription model is it takes away a lot of choices and power from the users. Number one being, what do you do when you decided that you want to quit paying but you would still like to have access to your files? Well with the subscription model you are really, really limited in regard.
I will give you that, downloading and taking the 30 day trial wouldn't hurt but still I wouldn't think that an amateur would want to pay every month to use an app that is just for a "hobby". Some people do it but even as a professional I won't do it. Sure I use Adobe's stuff but at work but not at home. At home, I use Affinity's offerings and Quark Xpress (and some older versions of Adobe's stuff if I have to) to avoid the subscription. Affinity's products have improved greatly since they were first release (and they were good when they were released) to the point that I can see myself completely ditching Adobe's stuff in the near future (possibly when Affinity releases version 2.0 of their stuff). For me, it isn't just about the money (the money is a part of it but only a part). For me, my biggest complaint against the subscription model is it takes away a lot of choices and power from the users. Number one being, what do you do when you decided that you want to quit paying but you would still like to have access to your files? Well with the subscription model you are really, really limited in regard.
With the subscription model, you don't get to keep a local copy of your files?
MacBh928,
Yes, you get to keep your files with the subscription but how are you going to open them? Once you stop paying you can no longer use the programs and so you won't be able to open your files unless you use another piece of software. Sure some formats can be opened by other programs but almost never with 100% accuracy.
Yes, you get to keep your files with the subscription but how are you going to open them? Once you stop paying you can no longer use the programs and so you won't be able to open your files unless you use another piece of software. Sure some formats can be opened by other programs but almost never with 100% accuracy.
I am a diehard Illustrator user, but for free or cheap hobby software, Inkr, Autodesk Sketchbook & Adobe Draw (emphasis on the Draw app, not Sketch app - Draw produces vector art) for iPad are all pretty useful tools. If you have a new iPad you can pair w/ Apple Pen (unfortunately Apple Pen won't work w/ my iPad Air).
Affinity Designer might be a good choice as it's full-featured and better with fewer system resources, but not expensive. I primarily use Illustrator but have been using Affinity Designer more and more. I think it's worth a shot for some serious work.
cuwckliffe,
I've been a die-hard Illustrator user since the early 90's and I was blown away by how powerful Designer is. I started using Designer soon after it went on sale in November 2014 and I haven't looked back. I found Designer when I started looking for something to replace Illustrator because I refuse to lease software. Adobe lost me as a customer and a supporter by forcing the subscription. Affinity Designer isn't quite up to feature parity with Illustrator yet but it is getting there. It is an incredible piece of software especially when you consider the price, $50 and that isn't a subscription.
I've been a die-hard Illustrator user since the early 90's and I was blown away by how powerful Designer is. I started using Designer soon after it went on sale in November 2014 and I haven't looked back. I found Designer when I started looking for something to replace Illustrator because I refuse to lease software. Adobe lost me as a customer and a supporter by forcing the subscription. Affinity Designer isn't quite up to feature parity with Illustrator yet but it is getting there. It is an incredible piece of software especially when you consider the price, $50 and that isn't a subscription.
You should ensure your logo is 3D; ideally with at least three different fonts.
GIFs are great, especially if they change between fluorescent colours.
Some cool sparkles on the letters and maybe the letters spinning around will really show you mean business.
GIFs are great, especially if they change between fluorescent colours.
Some cool sparkles on the letters and maybe the letters spinning around will really show you mean business.
I don't recommend you use any easy software to make a good logo and to edit graphic. It's wothy of spending time in learning one of these famous software, like Gimp, Illustrator, Photoshop, Fotor, or Cyberlink, MakeLogo. You will find fun in designing & creating your logo, but paying attention to simple logo design practices.
If you are following the mainstream, they will tell you to use PS, which you may find it hard to use PS center text in the first time, since PS demands human positiion control. While after using several times, you will find it handy and powerful.
If you are following the mainstream, they will tell you to use PS, which you may find it hard to use PS center text in the first time, since PS demands human positiion control. While after using several times, you will find it handy and powerful.
LindaPen,
Sorry but using PS to design a logo isn't good advice (with certain exceptions). The norm for most professional designers is to design logos using Illustrator (or another vector app like Affinity Designer, Corel Draw, Sketch, etc). Sure there are times when Photoshop is needed but that isn't the norm. Plus the original poster (although it was a long time ago) was looking for software for an amateur and so Photoshop nor Illustrator really fit that bill but some of the others like Affinity Designer, Sketch or one of the other cheaper alternatives (like iDraw, sorry the name has changed and I can't remember its new name) would work out great for amateurs and they have a great price point. I do agree with you that it would be worth spending the time to learn a new program but it takes time and money.
Mecha
Mecha, I haven't used Sketch, I think it's used for web design, not logo designs. I've heard of Corel Draw, but have no chance of using it. Oh, have you ever tried Laughingbird? It's a funny logo creating software for newbies.
LindaPen,
Many designers who do UI design prefer Sketch. I'm not a fan, mostly because I don't care for the interface but many people love it. Corel Draw is very popular with Windows users but there is no Mac version and while it is very powerful, Corel Draw has a steep learning curve and it has (in my opinion) one of the worst user interfaces on the planet. I used to be a diehard Illustrator user but I've been moving over to Affinity Designer. Affinity Designer is very powerful, I would say it is about 80% of Illustrator at the moment and give it a few years and I think that it'll catch up with Illustrator in terms of features. Right now, some things in Designer are way easier to do than in Illustrator. In my opinion, Affinity Designer is better than Illustrator for simply drawing and there are many other things but drawing is what I do most so that is the most important thing to consider. When you consider that you're getting a very capable vector app at such a low price point ($50 USD), it is hard to beat. I've not used or seen Laughingbird but it looks like it would be great for someone who needs to do template based, easy to use logo creation and doesn't want to learn how to use a proper vector application. Definitely for newbies only.
Many designers who do UI design prefer Sketch. I'm not a fan, mostly because I don't care for the interface but many people love it. Corel Draw is very popular with Windows users but there is no Mac version and while it is very powerful, Corel Draw has a steep learning curve and it has (in my opinion) one of the worst user interfaces on the planet. I used to be a diehard Illustrator user but I've been moving over to Affinity Designer. Affinity Designer is very powerful, I would say it is about 80% of Illustrator at the moment and give it a few years and I think that it'll catch up with Illustrator in terms of features. Right now, some things in Designer are way easier to do than in Illustrator. In my opinion, Affinity Designer is better than Illustrator for simply drawing and there are many other things but drawing is what I do most so that is the most important thing to consider. When you consider that you're getting a very capable vector app at such a low price point ($50 USD), it is hard to beat. I've not used or seen Laughingbird but it looks like it would be great for someone who needs to do template based, easy to use logo creation and doesn't want to learn how to use a proper vector application. Definitely for newbies only.
Sketch works just fine for most logo work as well as UI and web design, although I wish it had slightly more refined text tools.
IMO, the best logo design software for an amateur is Adobe Illustrator. The latest one, please, Illustrator CC 2017.
BUT... operated by whoever you hire to make your logo. Hiring a professional doesn't have to be that costly - I have had GREAT results with 99Design. I love that you initially get many design ideas, and then you pick what strikes your fancy. Way better than buying a cantankerous pig-in-a-poke. (Ask anybody who has ever hired a freelance designer. Not that ALL are like that, but...)
Seriously, hire a professional, and insist that they use the right tools.
You can then teach yourself enough Illustrator to make simple changes, like change a color, change a shape a bit, etc.
BUT... operated by whoever you hire to make your logo. Hiring a professional doesn't have to be that costly - I have had GREAT results with 99Design. I love that you initially get many design ideas, and then you pick what strikes your fancy. Way better than buying a cantankerous pig-in-a-poke. (Ask anybody who has ever hired a freelance designer. Not that ALL are like that, but...)
Seriously, hire a professional, and insist that they use the right tools.
You can then teach yourself enough Illustrator to make simple changes, like change a color, change a shape a bit, etc.
It's sort of ironic that you talk about hiring a professional then mention 99designs.
I understand the appeal and why it works for some applications, but you're missing out on the best parts of working with a designer by doing that (not to mention you're probably working with a hobbyist and run the risk of getting a recycled/stolen logo).
I understand the appeal and why it works for some applications, but you're missing out on the best parts of working with a designer by doing that (not to mention you're probably working with a hobbyist and run the risk of getting a recycled/stolen logo).
I'm a software developer, so I know my design limitations.
I also know the mistakes and problems caused by clueless buyers of design services a.k.a. Pointy-Haired Bosses (ask for bitmaps, and way too many designers will eagerly comply...) I am tired of explaining One More Time that I cannot take your 100x100 iPhone app icon done as a JPG and make it look good. I get tired of asking "where are the source images" and the inevitable "what is that?"
I've worked with some of the best in-house designers when working for others (MediaShare, which was bought by MacroMedia which was bought by Adobe..., Sony (Playstation) etc. So, I know what great professional designers given an essentially unlimited budget can do, thank you!
(And even working with the best - some are willing to listen, and willing to constrain their work within the bounds of what is technically feasible - and some are not. I suppose this is less of an issue today - back in the early 90's too many wanted to do beautiful airbrush-like Photoshop renderings that.... would take a minute to load. And you just couldn't convince them that this is Not a Good Thing...)
And I've worked with local freelancers, and, frankly it was a pain.
I've done two 99Design projects - my company logo and business card, and some modifications to an app background that was done by a local freelancer.
In both cases, 99Design was a breath of fresh air.
First off, there is the aspect of having a wide choice of design ideas, rather than have one designer's take, which is typically whatever is currently scratching their itch. Sure, I got a lot of junk, which I quickly rejected.
It is really important to engage and give feedback when working with 99Design etc. Probably most buyers don't put a sufficient level of effort into it, though, from looking over projects there.
Actually, I've done 3 projects, as I decided the logo I went with was not what I really wanted, and I really liked a more whimsical one that had been runner-up. I went back to that designer 2 years later (through 99 design) and had them complete the project. Fortunately, they had saved their sketches!
Of course, you have to vet them. Which you need to do anyway, regardless of the source.
What are the "best parts of working with a designer" that I am missing. Given that I've been there, done that? Maybe I am missing something.
I would much rather 99Design than DIY, and suspect it is a better choice for most, unless you have some artistic talent and interest. But if you did, you wouldn't be here asking what tools to use - you would know.
I might be in a fairly unique position of knowing what to look for when I work with a site like 99Design. I can see how if you didn't know the right questions to ask and the right directions to give, you could wind up with a useless mess.